waters



(No Model.)

F. M. WATERS.

CLUTCH MECHANISM.

No. 351,009. Patented Oct. 19, 1886.

WITNESSES FRANK M. WATERS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN H. THOMAS, OF SAME PLACE.

CLUTCH hJiECHANiSh-F.

CATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,009, dated October 19, 1886:.

Application filed July 3, 1886. Serial No. 207,035. (No model.)

.9 aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK M. Warnas, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clutch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clutches, and is specially designed to be used in connection with lawnmowing machines as a means of positively engaging the operating-pinion with the knife-reel shaft in one direction and of allowing an independent rotation of the pinion in the other direction.

The object of the invention is to provide a clutch which shall have a strong connection with the shaft and offer a positive resistance to the pinion in the operating direction, and which shall be easily fitted in place, and re quire as littleskilled workmanship as possible.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like reterence-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a portion of a knife-reel of a lawn-mower, showing my improved clutch and a pinion in section applied thereto; Fig. 2, an inner end view of the pinion and clutch, showing the shaft of the reel in section; Fig. a like view to Fig. 2. but showing the clutch out of engaging position; and Fig. -l, detached perspective view of the clutch.

The letter A designates ametallic k pife-reel used in lawn-mowing machines, and the letter B the shaft thereof,in the outer ends of which are cut or otherwise formed longitudinal rabbets or key-seats O, of sufficient depth and width for the purpose in view. These seats are preferably cut on opposite or diametrical sides of the shaft, one at each end, as above suggested. The seats serve to receive the webs or keys D of the clutches. which keys consist of bars of metal titted somewhat loosely to the seats, and preferably reduced in thickness toward and at their inner edges. They are flush on their outer surfaces with the periphery of the shaft, so as not to interfere with the backward and independent rotation of the pinion on the shaft.

periphery of the reel-shaft.

At the inner end of each key is integrally formed a fluke, E, which stands out from the key on both sides thereof and radiallybeyond the key, and fits into theannnlar recess formed k in the inner end of the pinion F. In these re cesses the flakes have a rocking motion by reason of the easy fit between the keys and the seats in the act of changing the direction of the rotation of the pinions, while the walls of the recesses are formed with a plurality (preferably threc) offsets, G, fashioned after the manner of ratchetteeth. When the machine is moved in a forward dircction,the radial face of an offset is brought against one end of the fluke,whilcthe keyimpinges on opposite sides against the seat, and the other member of the tluke hugs closely and firmly against the Thus a firm and positive connection is effected between the pinion and the shaft, and the motion received by the pinion from the wheel of the mower transmitted to the reel. \Vhen themachineis moved hackward,the pinion reverses the direction of its rotation, and the tapering inner faces of the teeth play round the flakes without effecting an engagement with them, and hence without rotating the shaft and reel.

The clutch proper may be made either of malleable iron,or of steel or brass,or wroughtiron, or, indeed, of an y approved materiahand in any convenient manner. I have found this device most effective in practice and practically noiseless.

It is obvious that thelength of the key may be varied at pleasure, and, indeed, it may not be longer than the width of the fluke. Again, the seat may be substituted by a recess or depression in the shaft sufficiently deep to engage the shaft and key firmly.

I desire to have it understood that I am aware that journal-boxes have been provided with a pawl which extends into them and engages with a shaft having ratchet-teeth.

I am further aware that pinions have been constructed with internal ratchet-teeth, and combined in one instance with an axle having a deep mortise therein, and a spring and pawl fitted in the mortise, the spring serving to project the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet, and in the other instance with a shaft having aslot extended entirely through it, and a pawl fitted to the slot and adapted to work through it and engage the teeth at either side of the shaft. These devices, however, do not present a key fitted to a mere seat in the shaft,and having a fluke which extends from it at its opposite sides, and which fluke embraces the sides of the shaft as the key inclines in the slot, and the teeth of the pinion engage one end of the fluke. A key with a fluke is the distinctive feature of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a clutch, the combination, with a pinion having offsets at one end thereof, with inclines between them, of a shaft having a seat therein, and a key fitted to play in said seat, and having a fluke which extends from each side thereof, and which stands in the path of the offsets when the pinion is rotated" in one direction and out of that path in the other direction.

2. Ina clutch, the combination, with a pin-- ion having a recess in one end and offsets pro- 2 5 jeeting into the recess, of a shaft havinga seat ion having a recess in one end, a series of offsets projecting into it and having incline surfaces between them,of ashaft havingaseat, and

a key taperedtoward its inner edge and loosely 5. A key for a clutch, consisting of a bar rcduced in thickness toward the inner edge thereof, and provided with a curved fluke which extends from each side thereof.

6. In a clutch, the combination, with a pinion having offsets at one end thereof,of ashaft and a key in engaging contact, and a fluke carried by the key and constructed to engage the offsets when the pinion revolves in one div rection and not to engage them when it revolves in the other direction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK M. \VATERS.

Vitnesses:

' C ASE STEWART, A. A. YEATMAN. 

